quote:Mindsets can only do so much, though. The truth is, despite all of Ryan's sizzle, his defenses typically fizzle. In nine seasons at three different stops as an NFL coordinator (Oakland, Cleveland and Dallas), Buddy Ryan's kid has helmed just one unit that ranked among the league's top 10 in yards allowed. Even more alarming if you're a Saints fan is that in seven of those nine years, Ryan's defenses finished in the bottom 10.

quote:I'm not a fan of Ryan, but using yards given up as an indicator of defensive prowess isn't fair either.

Points against per game at the very least, and I'd actually like to see points against per drive.

It sounds like Ryan has the players buying into what he wants to do. I know, I know... big whoop( I'm sure many want to see it on the field) I don't disagree there either. But I just feel like they guys from last year will be playing with a big chip on their shoulder. I don't know how long that will hold up but it seemed like last year from the get that the defense wasn't really into the game mentally or physically. There was a lot going on that triggered that. But with bountygate behind them, no one can convince me that they won't play better.

I'm not expecting a huge improvement from the D. It would be great to see it but I'm just trying to be realistic. As bad as they were last year they still finished 12th in the league in takeaways. If they could get somewhere near there this year it should be another nice season.

oh by the way... points per game stats can be very misleading too. In San Francisco's last 6 games from last season (including the playoffs) their defense gave up 29 points per game. As tough as they were all season and being so close to pulling off a big comeback in the Super Bowl, I find that stat surprising.

quote:Sure, first-round safety Kenny Vaccaro and third-round nose tackle John Jenkins will help, but relying on a couple of rookies to transform the Nawlins D is kind of like relying on a couple of icepacks to solve global warming.

quote:oh by the way... points per game stats can be very misleading too. In San Francisco's last 6 games from last season (including the playoffs) their defense gave up 29 points per game. As tough as they were all season and being so close to pulling off a big comeback in the Super Bowl, I find that stat surprising.

Once Justin Smith got hurt, that defense was nowhere near as formidable.

I can see where you're going with this though

I just don't like yards against per game because it punishes teams with quick strike offenses, and benefits teams that use extreme running ball control.

If you score more, your defense is going to have more chances to give up a big play.

quote:I just don't like yards against per game because it punishes teams with quick strike offenses, and benefits teams that use extreme running ball control.

this has really be a factor for the Saints defense over the years I think. Probably not the biggest one but one that doesn't get mentioned enough IMO.

oh, by the way the Saints average on defense in PPG over the last 6 games from 2012??? 30 points

that is nuts to think the Saints defense and 49ers defense were so close in that category.

I remember back in 2010 when the Saints defense was pretty stout for several weeks and then after the bye week, they started to struggle. There were only a few times where I felt like they just out right got the best of somebody and that was the second Falcons game in ATL after the bye week. Maybe you could say the Rams game too though I guess, they beat them pretty good that year.

I know statistically we were pretty good that year but I was nervous as shite as they went into the playoffs. There were injuries on our defense and Seattle had no problems moving the ball on us in the Dome the first time we had played them that year.

it is getting tougher for me to buy into some stats defensively now. This league is mostly dominated by offense now.

quote:I know I'll get flamed for this, but the same with the Patriots. They've actually been averaging 10-15 in PPG the last couple of years, but people just see the yardage and shite bricks. quote:

In 2011 our scoring defense wasn't all that bad but they gave up a shite ton of yards. So I kind of know where you're coming from. In 2010 our scoring defense was even better but it ended up not really making a difference in the end.

quote:I'd argue it's dominated by health going into the playoffs. If Gronk is healthy, the Patriots win at least one of the last two Super Bowls.

definitely had something to do with it in 2010 for the Saints. We had guys miss that game or play with nagging injuries. Plus it was just the end of the long grind defending the title. Your team was the last to win it back-to-back and that was when... 2004?

Limp through the season until game 10-12, catch a hot streak and barely grab the wildcard or win your pathetic division, keep momentum in the playoffs. Profit. Games 1-12 don't matter. Frustrating as hell to me.